We bought a strong, ocean-capable voyaging boat. We chose Dirona, a Nordhavn 52, not because we were convinced we would voyage ‘round the world, but because we wanted the flexibility to be able to go anywhere in the world if we wanted.

How many of us have taken for granted that all diesel fuels are the same and that all diesel mechanics know what they are doing? Diesel engines are amazingly tolerant of abuse. But life isn’t that simple when you are sailing the seven seas and the Caribbean is no exception.

Familiarity with the heart of your power voyaging boat, your engine, is the best way to enjoy cruising with confidence. Spending thousands of offshore miles training with clients has helped me outline some key points to focus on so that each owner can “dial-in” the essentials of their engines.